ORLANDO, FLA. - LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis declined to talk Wednesday about rumors Georgia wants to lure him to Athens, but at the same time offered no forceful denial that he had interest in holding the same job with the Bulldogs.

Jennifer Zdon/The Times-PicayuneLSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is rumored to be a candidate for the same position at Georgia.At a press conference before the Capital One Bowl between No. 13 LSU (9-3) and No. 11 Penn State (10-2), Chavis was asked about the talk that Georgia Coach Mark Richt has Chavis on his short list after firing defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.

"We're excited about what we're doing at LSU, " Chavis said. "I'll talk as long as you want to about LSU and its players. I'll be happy to do that."

Then, when the topic arose again at the end of the 30-minute Q&A, Chavis reiterated his focus on preparing the Tigers for the Nittany Lions on Friday.

Earlier this week, LSU Coach Les Miles confirmed he was aware of the Georgia rumors swirling around Chavis, who hails from South Carolina and spent 20 years as a coach at Tennessee before being dismissed and joining Miles' staff this year. But Miles said he hasn't been formally contacted by Richt and hasn't talked about the situation with Chavis. Miles brushed off the matter as a bowl-week distraction.

Chavis is being paid about $450,000 annually in Baton Rouge and reportedly has told some Tigers defenders he is not leaving.

Turf battle: The already aging Citrus Bowl is taking a beating. On Tuesday night, Wisconsin beat Miami 20-14 in the Champs Sports Bowl, and throughout the game huge divots of turf came out of the field until, in the end, it looked like some field outside Carthage at the end of the Second Punic War.

Bowl officials are scrambling to get the grass into playing shape, but both teams acknowledged the turf could be an issue. Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark said he couldn't believe it as he watched the Wisconsin-Miami game.

"I saw chunks and chunks of grass popped up, " he said. "The field conditions could be a problem in terms of slips and falling. We'll be sure to have our screw-in cleats."

Tigers offensive coordinator Gary Crowton said a lousy field will slow down fast players, and that it was unfortunate. Conventional wisdom holds LSU has the faster team and the turf could neutralize its advantage.